A couple were in a bidding war over their dream home but were outbid by a property developer
A couple embroiled in a bidding war for their dream property have revealed how they convinced the seller to accept their lower offer instead of one from a property developer – and all it took was a heartfelt letter through the door.
When it comes to the housing market, it is widely acknowledged that financial considerations typically prevail. With property prices stubbornly high and mortgage costs showing little sign of falling, buyers are having to find increasingly creative ways to get a foot on the ladder.
The Bank of England has kept interest rates at 4.5% and, while there has been some optimism that the market may be stabilising, many buyers are still finding themselves priced out or outbid.
Recent research by Zoopla also reveals that properties are taking longer to sell than normal, partly because of homeowners overpricing their homes and insufficient buyer interest.
However, it was not long ago that properties were being snapped up within hours of listing due to multiple bids exceeding the asking price – and it was during one such period that Adam and Stacey found themselves in exactly that situation.
The couple had noticed a house in their town come onto the market, coinciding with their realisation that they had outgrown their existing home.
After viewing the property twice, the couple became smitten with it, and even their children had begun imagining what life would be like living there. After submitting an offer on the property, Stacey and Adam were devastated to learn they had been outbid by a property developer.
Rather than increasing their bid or abandoning their dream altogether, the couple chose to pen a heartfelt letter to the owner and deliver it through their letterbox.
The letter said: “Dear Mr G, we are Adam and Stacey and we live nearby in the town with our two young children. We currently live in an older property which we have transformed and put our stamp on.
“It’s a home that we’re very proud of but we have outgrown it and are ready to move on. We have viewed your mother’s home twice now and have fallen in love with it.
“We detoured through the town just to drive by it again. Our children have also viewed it with us and particularly like the Jack and Jill bathroom between what would be their rooms and they love running around the garden.
“They’ve also requested chickens if we were successful and would name them Pasta and Cheese. I understand we have been outbid by a developer and while I understand that money talks, if you were ever to consider that your childhood home could go to a family who would love it and bring it joy forever then I hope maybe you would think of us.
“We’re really good at looking after older houses, I promise. Regardless your home is beautiful and we wish you the best of luck with the sale and thank you for your time.”
The homeowner chose to accept the couple’s offer following the letter, and the family have remained true to their word – right down to the chickens named Pasta and Cheese.
Stacey and Adam have set up an Instagram account, @end_of_the_row, which chronicles the renovation of their period property.
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